Germs are invisible to the human eye. They are tiny and minute and can only be seen under a powerful electronic microscope. Unbeknownst to people, they hide in plain sight. They are everywhere and on everything and are found all over the world. They can affect people anytime and anywhere without warning – regardless of their age.

Despite being so tiny, germs are powerful and strong while people can be weak and vulnerable. Germs are also dangerous, and there is no way to avoid them. They make people sick—extremely sick.

It is a harsh reality. The sooner children realize the gravity of the dangers associated with lack of handwashing and poor personal hygiene, the sooner they would learn to protect themselves. For younger children or children with reading and comprehension difficulties, this guide can be used as a read along to create awareness for them. Working with young children is the best way to promote effective behavioral change with the anticipation that changes in their behavior will continue throughout their adolescent and adult lives - hopefully decreasing the spread of illness to themselves and others by proper hand washing. To help children learn, adults can demonstrate good hand washing through fun-filled activities, some of which are demonstrated in this guide, Washing Germs Down the Drain.

Let’s face it. Germs have no idea how destructive they can be, but it is up to people to make changes to their lifestyles so they can be safe, keep others safe, and help everyone stay healthy. When all is said and done “Health is Wealth” and that is what matters the most.

What others say…. about the Book

“Harmindar lays out the essential elements everyone should know and do in order to help to stay healthy. The book Washing Germs Down the Drain, is simplistic and versatile allowing adults as well as children the benefits from its instructional purpose. Following the step by step explanation of the five Ws and H, is a sure way to keep one safe during a pandemic and help prevent one in the future.”
¬¬-LINDA H. JACKSON, BS, MS; Emeritus Executive Director K-12 Schools, West Contra Costa Unified School District.

“Good instructions and much needed clarity is provided for this important health issue that seems so difficult to some people, but the clarity and the importance is made clear along with a sense of mother-care. There is added warmth and concern liken to motherhood and nursing care. Unforgettable! Surely unforgettable information that we all can learn.”
-MILDRED PENN LEE, Cultural Anthropology.

“Washing Germs Down the Drain” is a very informative book that reinforces the importance of proper hygiene techniques. It is well written, and it is an easy read. Great as a teaching tool for all ages.”
-LANRE AJAYI – Masters of Education, West Contra Costa Unified School District Early Learning Program Coordinator.

The author, Harmindar K. Sran, is a Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) with the State of California. She has a BA in Microbiology and a background in Environmental Sciences. Her career spanned 37 years of service with local county and city governments. In her 32 years of working for the City of Berkeley, she progressed from a Field Health Inspector to Senior Program Specialist to Acting Manager of Environmental Health. During her tenure she enforced California State Mandated Health and Safety Laws and local city ordinances on various Environmental Health Programs, including food safety and sanitation, disease prevention, and outreach education on handwashing at food facilities, schools, and institutions. Early on in her career, she realized that handwashing techniques need to be learnt at an early age to ensure long lasting behavioral change. With recent increases in disease outbreaks related to lack of handwashing, she wrote this guide on “Washing Germs Down the Drain” as an attempt to educate everyone – children and adults on the importance of hand washing with the hopes of making a difference. The timing for this essential guide could not be better. The author feels that working with young children is the best way to promote effective behavioral changes for the future generations with the anticipation that change in behavior in children will continue through their growing years, their adult lives and into old age. This in turn will make our World a much healthier and safer place to live in. “Washing Germs Down the Drain” is her second book in print. In 2000 she self-published a “Review Manual for Food Safety Manager Certification Exam” which is currently out of print. Now retired but is still actively involved with environmental concerns. Her hobbies consist of traveling, gardening, cooking, homemaking, music, poetry and writing. She lives in California with her husband and their three children and grandchildren living close by in the San Francisco Bay Area.